The first recorded marriage
in the area that is now Vernon County, Missouri, was that of David Cruise and
Fannie Summers in 1833. Rev. Amasa Jones was the officiating minister. Frances Summers was the daughter of Moses Summers, one of the three
Summers brothers whose families were the first permanent settlers in the
county. [History of Vernon County Missouri, 1887.]

Marriages are recorded at the county
level in Missouri. County development dictates in which county the earliest marriage
records might be found. These are approximate years and locations
for marriages in the area that is now Vernon County:

1830s - Jackson County north of the Osage River.

1830s - Crawford County south of the Osage River.

1840s - Van Buren County except the southern one-fourth of Vernon
County which was Newton County.

1850s - Bates County (however, all Bates County marriage records
prior to 1860 were destroyed)

1855 - Vernon County was organized, and all marriage record books
are at the Vernon County Recorder's office. Microfilm of the 1855-1916
marriage records is also available at the Nevada Library Genealogy
Department.

The original Vernon County marriage record
books are with the County Recorder's Office on the first floor of the
Vernon County Courthouse in Nevada, MO. See information below for
how to request a copy of a Vernon County marriage from 1855-present.

At this time, the below links marked with
# #
cannot be searched but must be viewed manually.

Books
I through Y are currently being proofed and corrections will be made to
these online finding aids.

The above indices and transcribed records are research tools to
help locate marriage records. Researchers are encouraged to obtain a
copy of the original marriage document from the Vernon County Recorder's
Office. To obtain a copy of a Vernon County, MO recorded marriage (1855
to present), send
$1 for each record (checks payable to Vernon Co. Recorder) and a
stamped, self-addressed envelope sufficient for the number of records
ordered. Mail your request to: